Statement by Mr. Vasiliy Osmakov, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation, at the event “Leveraging Advanced Manufacturing Technologies for the Future of the Global Economy, Environment and Society”

25 September 2018

Dear ladies and gentlemen,

I am delighted to welcome all attendees of the themed ministerial-level event on topical issues of the use of advanced production technologies for the future of the global economy, environment and society.

First of all, I would like, on behalf of the Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation, Denis Manturov, to express sincere appreciation to our Emirate friends and colleagues, as well as to UNIDO Director General Mr. Li Yong for the initiative to hold this event on the sidelines of the 73rd session of the UN General Assembly.

To begin with, I would like to say that one of the key events of 2019 in the Russian Federation will be the Global Manufacturing and Industrialisation Summit (GMIS) to be held in July 2019 in Yekaterinburg concurrently with the jubilee 10th International Industrial Exhibition "INNOPROM".

The core theme of the GMIS-2019 will be naturally-based technologies. We propose to organise for the first time a really large-scale discussion about the areas which will advance the scientific and technical thought and simultaneously restore the balance between the bio- and technosphere. We talk here of a very broad stratum of technologies, the development of which is the only adequate and worthy answer to the challenges associated with the fourth industrial revolution.

We have to make breakthroughs in materials science and reach a new level in our research and development (R&D) activity at the intersection of mathematics, physics, biology, and information and cognitive sciences. Naturally-based technologies should help us create new methods for preventing, diagnosing and treating complex diseases (including those that are still incurable), advance in the development and implementation of artificial intelligence systems, develop effective and environmentally neutral solutions in the field of energy generation and waste disposal.

Leading economies of the world (primarily, the US and EU countries) are actively conducting research in these and a number of other areas.

As far as Russia is concerned, we are developing naturally-based technologies as part of the President's initiative on nanoindustry development, which has now been underway for more than 10 years.

Relying on the basis created during this time, we will have to do the following during the period up to 2035:

• to complete the creation of the scientific base for the development of convergent sciences and technologies* (2017-2021);

• to prepare technological equipment for the formation of naturally-based research and production clusters (2022-2027);

• and to develop the basic elements of the naturally-based technosphere (2028-2035).

It must be admitted that we are only at the beginning of a long journey of systemic transformation of the existing technology pattern. Nevertheless, Russian businesses are already implementing certain projects which are oriented towards being naturally-based.

In particular, we have established a network of diagnostic nuclear medicine centres (RUSNANO, 9 centres). We have also established production of nanomodified materials (NEVZ-Ceramics JSC, Novosibirsk – manufacturing of ceramic medical products: endoprostheses, implants, implantable systems). Remote territories are being converted to a power supply using solar generation units (construction of autonomous hybrid power units based on solar and diesel electric power plants). Nanostructured coatings are used in oil and gas engineering (Novomet Perm JSC – electric centrifugal submersible pumps), whilst artificial sapphires have become an indispensable element in modern gadgets (Monocrystal JSC).

At the same time, it is obvious that no country in the world is able to form a naturally-based economy on their own. It is necessary to cooperate, putting aside excessive protectionism, restrictions and unfair competition. We expect that the upcoming summit will allow us to find compromises in this regard.

At the same time, I would like to note that a significant part of these projects will also be presented within the framework of another international event, which will be held on 28-29 September in Sochi – the international forum under the auspices of the United Nations "Global Forum on Naturally-Based and Convergent Technologies".

We hope that this forum will give impetus to the promotion of the theme of naturally-based and convergent technologies on the world stage.

I am sure that nature will become a source of inexhaustible inspiration for the search and implementation of industrial innovations. At the same time, our efforts should be aimed at achieving common awareness of the primary importance of the environment in the context of ensuring sustainable economic and social development, finding answers to civilisational challenges related to the transformation of industrial society and in the context of the harmonious coexistence of future generations.

In conclusion, I would like to note that the Russian Federation considers the GMIS-2019 and the Global Forum on Naturally-Based and Convergent Technologies to be promising platforms for global actions to develop and transfer technologies of the fourth industrial revolution and believes that these platforms will enable production to take the lead in achieving sustainable development goals.

I would like to thank you for your attention and take this opportunity to invite everyone to the upcoming events in Sochi and Yekaterinburg!